Speech Therapy: Wall of Fame

The Wall of Fame came from a last-minute attempt to cover ugly walls. This year, we didn't get assignments until after our contracts started. Changes necessitated the licensed assistant, L, I had worked with for 5 years going to another elementary and supervisor. I originally had a pretty nice speech room. When L started, I left my stuff in the room because she didn't have a whole lot. Over the course of 5 years, she bought and accumulated more of what she needed. Two years ago, we got moved to a smaller room the same day as Meet the Teacher night. L cleaned out and moved most of my stuff to our district speech closet. The "new" room was not only smaller, it was marked with smudges and nail holes by previous inhabitants. L is very creative and used fabric to cover most of it up.

In August, we separated our stuff, and she went off to another elementary. The nail-pocked smudged walls stayed behind. Out of desperation, I went to the workroom. There was a roll of nice blue paper I thought I could live with for a year. My wonderful hubby stapled it on the wall. I found some cute polka dotted border. My old Mary Engelbreit posters got a second life on the top half of the wall.

I needed an idea for for the bottom half. The Wall of Fame was what I came up with. I cut out the circles and letters with my Cricut (Makin' the Grade and Songbird fonts). Speech students who graduate get to sign the wall.

The big view:

The Wall of Fame has come to serve several purposes. First, as students get to sign it, the other students in the group start asking when they can sign it. It's very motivating for reviewing goals and progress. Second, with 13 signatures, it's a good visual encourager for me. Third, it's so much more attractive than the ugly *white* walls. I never thought that an act of desperation would come to mean so much!

I have considered confidentiality. Since the students only sign first names, I don't think it's any different than having a behavior or birthday chart with first names, both of which have been in the speech room. If other students ask who "Mary" is, I remind them of the purpose of the wall and do not disclose any personal information. My principal is aware of the Wall, and I tell parents their student will be signing the Wall.

Here's a picture of a recent graduate. Face and names blurred for confidentiality. I wish you could see her huge smile. The markings on the right are the blurred out signatures.